Long Islanders cry fowl on plan to build farm with 6K chickens next door: ‘I’ll move’
Residents on Long Island’s North Fork are pushing back against a proposal to build a farm housing 6,000 chickens in a residential area, saying it would disrupt the quiet character of their neighborhood.
Neighbors in Southold are urging town officials to reject plans for the egg farm on Ackerly Pond Lane. They say odors, noise, and potential pests from the large number of birds would significantly affect their quality of life and could even drive some long-time residents to move away.
“I hope this doesn’t get approved — I’ll move if it comes to it,” said Chris, who lives next door to the proposed site. “The smell is my main concern. How could we even go outside or barbecue in the summer if that odor is constantly in the air?”
Other residents worry about early morning noise, increased flies and rodents, and possible impacts on groundwater from waste produced by the chickens, especially given how close the barn would be to nearby homes.
“When you have 6,000 chickens, you’re going to have a pile of manure that will attract rats, mice, and flies,” said John Reichert, 87, who lives about 60 feet from the proposed structure. “The stench would be overwhelming.”
The Southold Town Planning Board was scheduled to meet Monday and was expected to approve the proposal, which includes constructing a 2,100-square-foot steel barn on a 16-acre lot. The property had not been used for farming in roughly 50 years and was purchased last May for $650,000 by Grant Callahan, according to town records.
In addition to housing the chickens, the facility would include space for storing equipment and for washing and packing eggs.
Southold is a rural part of Long Island with active farms and vineyards, and it is designated as a “right-to-farm” community. That status provides strong legal protections for agricultural activities, even when they create noise, odors, or other disturbances.
Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski, a fourth-generation farmer, acknowledged residents’ concerns but noted that farming has long been central to the town’s identity. He added that being a good neighbor and minimizing the impact on surrounding homes is also important.
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